Clays for polymeric nanocomposites

Abstract

We discuss test methods and results for determining individual clay platelets shape, size, size distribution, elemental composition, and impurities. Commercial sodium salt varieties of natural, semisynthetic and synthetic clay (Cloisite®‐Na+, Somasif ME‐100, and Topy‐Na+, respectively) were analyzed. In this international collaboration, eight laboratories on three continents carried out the work within the VAMAS TWA‐33 activities. There are large differences between the three nanofillers as far as: (1) the platelet orthogonal dimensions, (2) chemical composition, and (3) contaminants (their diversity and quantity) are concerned. Elaborate purification of natural clays leaves behind 2–5 wt% of organic and mineral impurities, whose nature, shape, size, and chemistry depend on the clay origin. These contaminants affect nanocomposite performance, thus controlling their composition and quantity is essential. The article describes the developed methods, summarizes the preliminary results, discusses the encountered difficulties, and proposes methods for solving them. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers

Poly (diallyldimethylammoniumchloride)/sodium‐montmorillonite composite; structure, and adsorption properties

“…MB adsorption results fitted very well to stretch exponential Eq. (2). MB adsorption of pure NaMt and composites are shown in Figures 4 and 5.…”

“…Clays are used as fillers in polymer matrices due to their nanosize structure, thermal and mechanical resistance, and high adsorbing properties. Academic and industrial aspects of the preparation, characterization, material properties, crystallization behavior, melt rheology and processing of polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites were detailed in the review articles 1, 2. Composite materials that include, epoxy/clay,3 high density polyethylene/clay,4 poly (methyl methacrylate)/clay,5 polystyrene/polyethylene/clay,6 polyamide/montmorillonite,7 poly (methyl metacrylate and polystyrene)/clay nanocomposites 8.…”

“…Academic and industrial aspects of the preparation, characterization, material properties, crystallization behavior, melt rheology and processing of polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites were detailed in the review articles. 1,2 Composite materials that include, epoxy/clay, 3 high density polyethylene/clay, 4 poly (methyl methacrylate)/clay, 5 polystyrene/polyethylene/clay, 6 polyamide/montmorillonite, 7 poly (methyl metacrylate and polystyrene)/clay nanocomposites. 8 Natural rubber/clay, [9][10][11] and butyl rubber/clay composites have been prepared.…”

Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Cellulose Acetate Fibers

“…The presence of O=C=O absorbance peaks suggests possible thermo-oxidative degradation of blends during processing. McKittrick et al [41] have shown that characteristic IR bands of imides consist of carbonyl groups around 1750-1700 cm −1 and a C-N-C stretching band around 1210-1140 cm −1 . In Table 6, wavenumbers, 1161 and 1158 cm −1 indicate the presence of the residual solvent (DM) in the fiber matrix.…”

Advancing technology in Mexico – challenges for nanometrology

“…However, they are more or less well suited to particles in different size ranges and size dispersions. Several international efforts had been made in order to obtain validated and traceable size determination results of nanoparticles [10,11] where CENAM also participated but there are still several issues to be addressed using validated methods and procedures that can be used for all laboratories. New reference materials with certified size, shape, composition and materials properties need to be made generally available to verify these new procedures and required to allow comparison between techniques.…”